Nothing like Nairns

Perhaps in Scotland oat cakes wouldn’t be considered a fad, but in the land of white bread and boerewors, slightly west of Down Under, oat cakes have never been mainstream.

I hadn’t heard of an oatcake until one rainy afternoon, paging through the Holford Diet, I came across a mention of this supposed wonder food. Crispy and light, yet substantial, these disks of oatey goodness could be piled high with hummus or avocado and eaten as mid morning and afternoon snacks. That was my kind of diet! Not only that, but the guy recommending these golden disks looked lithe, healthy and friendly without being creepy.

An approachable face is so important for a diet or healthy lifestyle guru. Fresh-faced and quietly confident is so much more appealing than high wattage bronzed showmanship. On the strength of Pat Holford’s smile and the promise of hummus endorsement, I went in search of oat cakes.

I didn’t have to look far. My local health shop had a respectable supply - 2 brands and a home industry option. Being on occasion a carrot juicing, pseudo health fiend, I felt chastened for having been oblivious of this health store staple. To compensate, I bought three boxes.

I was converted by my first mouthful. Crisp, with a wholesome texture that leaves grainy nibbles in your fillings for later, oat cakes have become my self-righteous snack of choice. Hummus and avocado have been joined by chunky cottage cheese when I am feeling saintly and camembert and gorgonzola with fig preserve when I know Pat Holford’s not watching.

They just feel nutritious. My cells clap their little cellular hands when I pop an oatcake, instead of swooning with pleasure and then turning cranky and insolent when I down a sugary treat. Be sure to drink lots of water if you develop a penchant for oat cakes though to avoid swooning under less pleasant circumstances.

Although I like to think of myself as a brand skeptic, when it comes to oatcakes, Nairns smokes my chimney. Their latest organic herb offering with rosemary, thyme and pumpkin seeds is nothing short of seductive. Thank you Nairns for creating the biscuits that have become an enduring hit on my life’s nutritional soundtrack.